The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1887-11-02
object and Possibilities of the
Grange.

Grange.
Head at a regular meeting Of Athens Orange
What is the Grange? An organization
of farmers.
For what purpose do the fafm crs organ
izel For mutual protection, and to edu
cate and elevate themselves.
From what do the farmers of this
country need to protect themsclycs2
From monopolists and the various rings,
combinations, organizations and synd.
Gates, that every year are boarding up
millions of dollars, drawn from the pro-
ducts of the toll Of the farmers, which if
saved, to them would soon place them on
an equal financial footing with any other
class of people.
How do they do this? First by de-
pressing the price of farm products, by a
species of gambling, and their monied in
huence, until the farmer is Obliged to sell.
Second by cXorbitant rates of transport
tation.
What do they do next? They hold the
produce Of this country, in their ware
houses, until the consumer must have it,
thereby creating corner, so called, and
then sell to the consumer at an enormous
profit, more money being made by n few
speculative mllllOnaireS in this manner, in
a few weeks, than is made by all the
farmers of the country, in their whole
year of toll.
But this effects the consumer as well as
the farmer Certainly, and in order to
pay the high prices caused by the spccu-
lator, and TO live at all, they must neces-
sarily charge the farmer higher prices
for labor and professional service, so it
finally all reflects upon the farmer, who
has the whole burden to bear.
In what does the farmer need to be ed
ucatcd? In everything pertaining to hi'
business How to produce the best crops
and raise the best stock, and how to dis
pose of them; how to purchase economic
ally, and how to secure Legislation in hi
interest
How do you expect to secure Legislation
in your favor, against the opposition o
the smooth-tongued lawyer, usually sen
to the Legislature, whom you eXclud
from your order, and, who are frequent
backed and bribcd by rich corporations
to work in their interests, which are i
opposition to yours2 BY leaving the aH
yer at home, and by sending to the Legs
latures of these United States, fdl1ae,
whom we know are in sympathy with on
order and purposes, and whose interest
D telligence and moral character are undi>
. puted and beyond the reach of bribery.
E How can you nominate and elect sue
men, since the members of your 0rde
belong to different political parties? Th
members of our Order are a common Brotl
J erhood, and are working for one gran
I and noble object, and duty to our cause
is, or should be, stronger than part
ties, and every true Patron, should vot
for his cause, regardless of party. Tn
, Grange is not considered II political part
/ or organization, by any MEANS but to at
complish its objects, itmuS be united, an
put such men into our law making institu
tions as can be reliedupon, to assist us il
| bringing about the main objects of GU
Order
The farmepr1pf this country are sum
GENTLY stron numerically, to carry an
popular vote they might wish, and al
that is required is to bring them into tn
Grange in one common brotherhood, ed
ucate them to IA realization of the imposi
lions that are being practiced upon them
Oh every hand, showing them the subor
dinate position they are meekly submit
ting to, the manner in which they are be
ing swindled out of the products of the
unccasing toll, to swell the untold mil
lions of the speculative combinations an(
show them the amount of tax they have
to pay toward supporting and paying tho
eXorbitant salaries and luxurious dissipa
tions of our most prominent Government
Officials, in proportion to the exempted
property of the rich, who through thcil
influential and bribed lawyers and Lcgs
lators, and Congressman, have caused
laws to be made to exempt certain classes
| a A tn
principal expenses of carrying on this eX-
pensve government, to be paid mostly by
the farmers, whose little all Is in view,
and who has to pay q tax on his last, and
perhaps only, ten dollar COW.
Has the Grange ever succeeded in get
ting any laws passed to favor the condi-
ton of the farmer The dairy interests
of this country, were being nearly ruined
by the manufacture and sale of oleomar-
garine, which was sold as butter, and as
it could be made and sold at price below
the cost of the production of real butter,
its tendency was to soon exclude real but
ter from the market, and to suppress one
of the most paying interests of the farm
ers of this country. But through the in
fiuence and labors of the Grange, law
has been passed. requiring those engaged
In the manufacture of oleo margarine, TO
stamp it as such, and the public houses
who use it, to proclaim as such, and the
result is the demand for good butter, has
largely increased, while the manufacture
oleo has correspondngly decreased As
good demand always causes a good
price, of course the dairyman has been
benefited. Also the Hatch Bill so called
providing for experimental stations, at
which the various brands of fertilizers